Are You Kidding Me?

Maggie says, "Are you kidding me?"

Christmas is a time to believe, a time to love and share. Many people say they don't believe in God or in Santa or Christmas. Are you kidding me? Who can hold a newborn baby or experience a miracle and not believe in a God who loves and cares about them? What kid doesn't get excited about the tinsel and ribbon under the tree?

Yesterday I helped second graders with their Christmas shopping in the school store. Several times before the children entered the room with the tables of merchandise, teachers admonished, "This is the time to shop for people in your family, not for yourself."

One by one as the kids filled their bags, I led them to a table in the lunch room where we waited for the last minute shoppers to finish. One little boy played with a toy he purchased. "Whose that for?" I asked.

"Me," he said.

"You weren't supposed to shop for yourself," I replied.

"I know." He smiled.

How many of us are guilty of buying for ourselves while we shop for Christmas? I have to confess I am as guilty as the little boy. Yet, I find more joy in wrapping gifts for others, than in satisfaction of buying things for myself.

Think About It
Jesus said, "It is more joyful to give than to receive." Although it is challenging, it is a lesson worth learning. There is a pair of fur lined shoes I'd like to have, but this year, I choose not to think about them. When I see their picture in ads, I delete them off my e-mail, and switch my thinking to others and what I can do for them.

Pray About It
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief when I am tempted to act selfishly. Help me to trust you to set priorities and make good decisions. Amen.

Jesus--God's Gift of Love

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." Isaiah 9:6-7

Did you know that these two verses, often quoted at Christmas, were written by Isaiah more than seven hundred years before Christ was born? Isaiah worked during troubling times when people had no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of His hands. God spoke through Isaiah to warn the people they would be exiled because of their life choices, but that He would bring hope and peace through one Man.

Application

While we celebrate the first coming of Jesus at Christmas, we prepare for His second coming. That means we respond to God's amazing love by loving Him and others. Loving God means doing what is right and good. Sometimes that means standing alone. Have you ever had to do that? I have and I feel like the lone ranger Christian. Be encouraged! God says in Isaiah 7:9, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Hard words, but words that hold great hope and eternal life with God. How will you show God's love this week? Will it mean that you will stand alone to do what God wants you to?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for your incredible plan for us. Strengthen us to stand firmly in our faith and to reach out to others with your love, especially during this season when many people feel left out and lonely. Amen.